Biscuits and gravy
#43
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,781
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starrsville, I did read Birdie's post. I grew up on a farm with a bunch of old-time cooks (including my parents, grandparents, etc.), and we saved bacon grease and used it for all manner of things, but not to use as the fat in making biscuits. Maybe we're talking about adding a tablespoon of bacon grease to the lard you're using, just for the flavor? Not using bacon grease for "the fat" in your biscuit recipe???
#45
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,203
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I made chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, greens, biscuits and gravy for dinner last night.
My gravy has no sausage and it is smooth as silk with flecks of pepper. I make good gravy.
We actually LOVE the Pillsbury frozen biscuits.
Sometimes I will mince some bacon really tiny... almost microscopic pieces and fry them up to mix into the gravy.
If I have sausage, it is never mixed in with the gravy. Served with, not mixed in.
We have this sort of dinner very rarely these days but we do enjoy a biscuit or two for breakfast a couple times a month.
I took some biscuit and cornbread mixes to a client in London a few years back and guess what they want when they visit... biscuit mix, gravy mix and assorted other southern mixes!
My gravy has no sausage and it is smooth as silk with flecks of pepper. I make good gravy.
We actually LOVE the Pillsbury frozen biscuits.
Sometimes I will mince some bacon really tiny... almost microscopic pieces and fry them up to mix into the gravy.
If I have sausage, it is never mixed in with the gravy. Served with, not mixed in.
We have this sort of dinner very rarely these days but we do enjoy a biscuit or two for breakfast a couple times a month.
I took some biscuit and cornbread mixes to a client in London a few years back and guess what they want when they visit... biscuit mix, gravy mix and assorted other southern mixes!
#47
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 17,226
Likes: 0
Hey elsie,
Take a look at this Sacramento website -
http://www.ediblesacramento.com/pages/recipes.htm
Check out Ann's Father's Bacon Fat biscuits!
Take a look at this Sacramento website -
http://www.ediblesacramento.com/pages/recipes.htm
Check out Ann's Father's Bacon Fat biscuits!
#48
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,203
Likes: 0
Grits... just saw the comment about grits.
I like grits and have them often.
I am not sure what 'style' mine are but this is what I do...
Have ready 2 servings plain prepared grits
In a small pan, fry up 2 pieces of bacon which have been minced into tiny bits. Once that is fried up crisp, add the meat only (minced) of a large fresh jalapeno and 1 or 2 Tablespoons of minced fresh onion.
Cook until soft and browned.
Toss in a handful of Green Giant super sweet frozen corn kernels and cook just until warmed.
Mix in grits and heat through.
Serve with a little shredded cheddar cheese.
It's great.
Save any leftovers, form into patties, coat with Oven Fry For Chicken and bake until browned.
Kind of like Polenta.
YUMMY!
Stir in
I like grits and have them often.
I am not sure what 'style' mine are but this is what I do...
Have ready 2 servings plain prepared grits
In a small pan, fry up 2 pieces of bacon which have been minced into tiny bits. Once that is fried up crisp, add the meat only (minced) of a large fresh jalapeno and 1 or 2 Tablespoons of minced fresh onion.
Cook until soft and browned.
Toss in a handful of Green Giant super sweet frozen corn kernels and cook just until warmed.
Mix in grits and heat through.
Serve with a little shredded cheddar cheese.
It's great.
Save any leftovers, form into patties, coat with Oven Fry For Chicken and bake until browned.
Kind of like Polenta.
YUMMY!
Stir in
#49
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,781
Likes: 0
Thanks, Starrs
... that's the first actual recipe for putting the bacon fat IN the biscuit that I've ever seen. I was not disputing what GoT remembered, of course ... just thought she might have mis-spoken.
dmlove, when I googled exactly what you did, I saw lots of ideas and recipes for using bacon grease to make gravy to eat with biscuits, putting fried bacon bits in gravy or biscuits, etc., but none for putting the bacon grease INTO the biscuits but thanks for your input.
... that's the first actual recipe for putting the bacon fat IN the biscuit that I've ever seen. I was not disputing what GoT remembered, of course ... just thought she might have mis-spoken. dmlove, when I googled exactly what you did, I saw lots of ideas and recipes for using bacon grease to make gravy to eat with biscuits, putting fried bacon bits in gravy or biscuits, etc., but none for putting the bacon grease INTO the biscuits but thanks for your input.
#50
Guest
Posts: n/a
elsie, why is it so hard for you to believe some people use bacon fat to make biscuits?
If you can catch the very first batch at Poogan's Porch in Charleston, they are made with bacon fat.
My husband's grandmother (NC) also used bacon fat.
And kept a bottle of Karo Syrup on the table to go with them!
Honey Hush!
If you can catch the very first batch at Poogan's Porch in Charleston, they are made with bacon fat.
My husband's grandmother (NC) also used bacon fat.
And kept a bottle of Karo Syrup on the table to go with them!
Honey Hush!
#51
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,781
Likes: 0
GoT, we posted at the same time, and you have certainly taught me a new one this week. Now I have to call other family members to ask if they've ever eaten them and if they liked them! (I apologize ... I thought you were remembering incorrectly ... and I thought I knew everything about *Carolina cooking* but I guess not!)
#52
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,268
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"Flanneruk, as a lifelong northerner, I never really ate a biscuit until I was in the south. I do not believe if you had eaten them there, you would call them door stops. They are tender and delicious. "
I didn't say door stops. I said "bread doorsteps"
Bread doorsteps are thick slices of fresh bread, usually about the thickness and texture of most American biscuits. Always tender and delicious, especially when thoroughly soused in a sauce.
I didn't say door stops. I said "bread doorsteps"
Bread doorsteps are thick slices of fresh bread, usually about the thickness and texture of most American biscuits. Always tender and delicious, especially when thoroughly soused in a sauce.
#57
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,449
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Melnq8 - I agree with your observations aboout flanneruk's biscuit experience. It's like describing scones based on the corporate-made packaged-in-plastic versions you get in many supermarkets here.
My grandmother (who lived on a Virginia farm) made flaky, buttery biscuits (seemingly effortlessly - no measuring, just throwing ingredients together) that just defy my inadequate vocabulary for heavenly food experiences.
But I will agree I've never had a commercial or restaurant version that was especially good ...
My grandmother (who lived on a Virginia farm) made flaky, buttery biscuits (seemingly effortlessly - no measuring, just throwing ingredients together) that just defy my inadequate vocabulary for heavenly food experiences.
But I will agree I've never had a commercial or restaurant version that was especially good ...
#58
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,503
Likes: 0
got...karo syrup? really? yum. i last just put regular old maple syrup on biscuits. i don't think i've ever seen white lily flour here in new york, maybe i can buy it online. would love to have a crack at making biscuits. (not pillsbury or bisquick) ;-) this thread is killing me!!!
#59
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 17,226
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Re NorCalif's grandmother's effortless bisquits -
Does anyone else have their grandmother's "biscuit bowls" - wooden bowls used every day to whip up delicious biscuits?
I have both of mine (both grandmothers'). Hmmmm...maybe someday I'll try to use them
Does anyone else have their grandmother's "biscuit bowls" - wooden bowls used every day to whip up delicious biscuits?
I have both of mine (both grandmothers'). Hmmmm...maybe someday I'll try to use them
#60

Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 11,549
Likes: 7
Otto - just look at the packaging to try to see where the flour is from. Wheat grown in the south has less gluten. While not as good as a southern flour, something like Gold Medal is ok because it is a mixture. You just don't want to use King Arthur. Also, bleached is better.

